A well-motivated student currently exploring issues and forming insightful, innovative leadership and resources for Jewish communal life, is the ideal candidate for synagogue professional leadership service. This exciting and innovative development initiative intends to attract the attention of such individuals during their years of formal training, and to encourage their interest in pursuing careers in synagogue administration by providing first-hand supervised flexible internship experiences geared to individual student interests, and mentorship by active seasoned professionals. This program partners the Association with the various graduate schools of Jewish communal service in a manner for which NAASE is uniquely suited, as respected practitioners "in the field". The current and future need for such motivated synagogue professionals makes the timing perfect, and the excitement of the NAASE membership about nurturing future synagogue leaders makes the initiative all the more vital.

A student in a school of Jewish Communal service with an interest in synagogue management and administration will be selected from a group of nominees as the NAASE Intern for the year. The partner schools will be solicited each winter to nominate a student, who will be selected, if possible, by June of that year. Synagogues and Executive Directors will be solicited for mentors and for internship opportunities. NAASE internships will be a partnership between a student, school director, and NAASE leader. All internships will take place in a synagogue setting under the direction and mentorship of a regular NAASE member. Internships may vary in length and scope, but each will include on-site synagogue interaction, completion of synagogue internship project, and the submission of a professional-level paper for publication in the NAASE Journal. When possible, the internship will include attendance and participation at a NAASE Convention.

The selected intern, school director and NAASE Internship Committee member will develop and define the internship timetable and parameters within the program guidelines.

NAASE will award to the intern a $1,500 stipend/scholarship. Based upon the particular intern, synagogue, and situation, the intern may receive additional compensation from a congregation or scholarship assistance from the school. In addition, NAASE will provide a subsidy for the selected intern to attend the annual NAASE Conference.

It is hoped that in future years as this intiative evolves, NAASE may sponsor non-stipend internships for schools of Jewish Communal Services throughout North America or may award more than one stipend.